Craftsman 917.254640 Owner's Manual page 12

OPERA TION
g. Slowly release clutch brake pedal.
h, Move throttle lever to fast position.
i. Observe height of cut and readjust as desired,
CAUTION: BEFORE YOU MOVE THE GEAR SHIFT
LEVER, COME TO A COMPLETE STOP.
FAILURE TO DO SO CAN RESULT IN GEAR
BOX DAMAGE.
f
T
FIGURE 9
5. Mowing Tips
NOTE:
TIRE CHAINS CANNOT'BE USED WITH THE
MOWER ATTACHED.
a. Mower should be adjusted properly front to back
and side to side for good mowing performance.
Refer to REPAIR AND ADJUSTMENT section
(page 22).
b. Use the runner on the R.H. side as a guide; the
blade cuts approximately an inch outside the
runner (Fig. 8).
c. Drive so that clippings are discharged onto the
area that has been cut. Have the cut area to the
right of the machine. This will result in a more
even distribution of clippings and more uniform
cutting.
d. When mowing large areas (Fig. 9), start by tur-
ning to the right so that the clippings will
discharge away from shrubs, fences, driveways,
etc. After two or three rounds, mow in the op-
posite direction making left hand turns until
finished.
e. If grass is extremely taft, it should be mowed
twice. The first time cut relatively high; the se-
cond time to the desired height.
f . The left hand side of mower should be used for
trimming.
g. See Speed Selection Chart.
h. Do not mow tall, dry (brown) grass over 6 in-
ches tall. It is a fire hazard.
6. Operating The Tractor On Hills
DO NOT DRIVE UP OR DOWN HILLS
WITH SLOPES GREATER THAN 15 °
AND DO NOT DRIVE ACROSS ANY
SLOPE. REFER TO PAGE 51.
SPEED SELECTION GUIDE
,,i, I,IIM,II, i
GEARSHIFT THROTTLE
.... iii1,1,1 .... ii
2or3
i
FUNCTION
i,11 ,, ,111,,111,1,,
Normal
Mowing
Heavy Mowing
Snow Blowing
i
Snow Blade
' i ,"'m','m';
Transport
iii
I or2
1
2
4-6
FAST
SLOW-
FAST
a . Move gear shift lever to "" I st'" gear before star-
ting up or down hills.
b. AVOID STOPPING OR SHIFTING ON HILLS.
c. If slowing is necessary, move throttle control
lever to slower position.
LEAVE ENOUGH ROOM WHEN STOP-
PiNG AND STARTING TO ALLOW U
._ SLIGHT TRACTOR ROLL DOWNHILL
AS CLUTCH-BRAKE PEDAL MOVES
THROUGH CLUTCH POSITION. !
q
d. If stopping is absolutely necessary, push
clutch/brake pedal quickly to brake position.
e . To restart tractor movement, make sure tractor
is in the lowest speed range ("1st'" Gear) and
release clutch-brake pedal SLOWLY.
f. Make all turns gradually.
7. Transporting Your Tractor
For pushing or towing your tractor, place Gear Shift Lever in
"N" position. Do not tow or push at more than 6 MPH.
12